Baking and roasting season is upon us, so it’s the perfect time to prep your oven with a thorough cleaning. If you’ve ever used an oven’s “self-clean” feature, you know it gets exceptionally hot, creates nasty fumes, and can even cause damage. As someone who has repaired plenty of ovens busted by self-clean, I recommend steam cleaning instead. It’s gentler, safer, uses less electricity, and takes much less time.
How to steam clean* your oven:
- Remove your oven’s racks and use a cleaning rag or sponge to wipe out any food debris that isn’t stuck.
- Return one of the racks to the lowest position possible.
- Pour 2 cups distilled water (which won’t leave water spots) into a medium-size, oven-safe container (casserole dish, bowl, saucepan, etc.). Make sure the container’s big enough so it’s less than halfway filled (the water will boil, and you don’t want it to boil over).
- Put the container of water in the center of the oven rack, close the door, and bake at 450° F for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely (about an hour). Do not open the oven before then so as not to let steam escape.
- Once cooled, remove the container and the rack and wipe away any remaining food residue.
BONUS TIP: Still got stuck stubborn bits even after your steam clean? Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the inside of the oven, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes (and up to 12 hours). Then scrub with a nonabrasive scouring pad and wipe away any excess with a damp rag or sponge.
*Some ovens have a steam-clean function with different directions, so it’s always best to check your manual first!
Check out some other stove tips here:
Renae DuHaime is an appliance repair tech. Follow her on TikTok @renduh for more appliance tips, tricks, and general awesomeness.
